I learned a lot from Arthur Rimbaud. People talk about how he wanted to be a seer and do that through the derangement of the senses. What they forget was that he also advocated, sternly and austerely, that one must be able to go through all that - and then articulate it. Patti Smith advocatearthurarticulate share on social
More than anything, that's been the thread through my life - the desire to write, the impulse to write. I mean, it's taken me other places, but it was the impulse to write that led me to singing. Patti Smith desireimpulselead Change image and share on social
For Christmas every year, my mother used to give me those cheap little diaries that would tell your horoscope and provide a little blank slot for each day. Patti Smith blankcheapchristmas Change image and share on social
If I feel any marginalisation, it's because the things that concern me aren't so important to other people. Patti Smith concernfeelimportant Change image and share on social
It was no hardship to me to spend long hours reading and writing. Patti Smith hardshiphourlong Change image and share on social
The thing is, it's not uncool to worry about people who seem like they're going on the wrong path. There's nothing cool about being self-destructive. Patti Smith cooldestructivepath Change image and share on social
For everything bad, there's a million really exciting things, whether it's someone puts out a really great book, there's a new movie, there's a new detective, the sky is unbelievably golden, or you have the best cup of coffee you ever had in your life. Patti Smith badbookcoffee share on social
I'm always writing. And, I mean, I always counsel people when they call me a musician: I really do not have the skills of a musician. I really don't think like a musician, though I love music and I perform and sing. Patti Smith callcounsellove share on social
My son and daughter lost their father quite young, so we keep him present with us. It's just a daily practice. Patti Smith dailydaughterfather Change image and share on social
I wanted to go to Portland because it's a really good book town. Patti Smith bookgoodportland Change image and share on social
